The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1887-01-01
Talk and Conversation.

Every one not uullio c'tii NiN'
The use of the organ Of speech re-
suits in talk. We may talk into the
air, or to ourselves, or to some one
else. Much or little sense may be
put into the sound. We say such
man is Il great talker. 1t may be
compliment Or it may be a censure.
Few bores are. equal in tediousness
to the talking bore. While no case
is recorded of actual dying from
being talked to DEATH" we have
felt that almost any change must
prove a relief from the torture of a
tireless tongue. How the words roll
and tumble out from the lips; how
they vex the air and tire the ear
how they smite against the mind,N
wearing out attention, burying pa
tience under their huge verpiage
Ughl it is like being crawled over
by worms-so insipid and slow and
dead-like. 1t would be a relief to
have a mad wasp drive his sting full
length and doubly charged with
poison into us. Deliver us from the
everlasting talker.
But conversation, while it is talk,
is more than talk. All conversations
are not interesting. Some are very
stupid. All are not wise. Some
are empty as bubbles. Many are
not bright, but are commonplace
and green as grass. Yet no conver-
sation is as stupid, empty and COM
monplace as the same ideas would
be if thrown into one-sided talk. If
two divide the load the burden is
then only half as heavy. And if
the conversation is bright and good,
then the enjoyment is doubled.
Any sentiment, whether expressed
in speech or in print, when shared
with another, gains in value. Con-
versation means "a turning over
with Or together" We see all sides,
discuss the ins and outs, and so
gain more than if holding and ex-
pressing the sentiment alone.
To be a something
more than a mere talker-is worthy
of effort and aim. 1t gives one
power over others. 1t develops
power in ones self 1t cultivates
the faculty of Just, fair and precise
expression of thought by words. 1t
also develops regard for others
rights and feelings. We are taught
not to monopolize all the time. We
are restrained from raising our
voices so high and loud as to bear
down and drown out all other voices.
We are prevented from interrupting
rudely while another is speaking.
a nicely conducted conversation is
a work of fine art, and the converser
is true artist. The painter, by u
touch Of color here will deepen the
shadow; and by successive touches
the well-balanced picture stands
forth to our enjoyment, represent
alton of beauty and of strength.
Study now your own mind, become
acquainted with the minds of fothers;
and by the subtle touch of words in
conversation effects may be produc-
ed upon those engaged in the con-
versation which will give joy and
inspiration. Recall how some per-
sons draw out the best and brightest
so that one surprises ones self by
ones own brightness. Then other
persons chill by their presence and
depress by their conversation.
Conversation is mutual contri-
button society for the benefit of
every member and the duties and
honors should be as equally distri
buted as possible. Timidity should
be encouraged into confidence.
Slowness of thought should be has
tened by stimulatingiideas. Poverty
Of speech should be enriched by eff
fort to use new, unused words 1. c..
not words new to the language, but
to the vocabulary of the speaker
by trying to express our thoughts
in the brightest, quickest, best way
and by encouraging others to give
us their thoughts in the same way
in a kind of rapid, off-hand, natural
exchange, will lead to interesting
and improving conversation.
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